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Post by annettecinca on Nov 7, 2007 19:08:48 GMT -5
I know I will forget to ask my teacher next week, so I'll put it to the experts: How do I say "I don't speak very much French"? Would "Je ne parle pas beaucoup Français" be correct? Or should I say "I only speak a little French"? ("Je parle seulement Français" or "Je parle très peu Français") In the past I've gotten by with "Je ne parle pas Français", but I'm going to attempt a little more of the language on this visit, so my fall-back phrase needs reworking a little! Thanks!
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Post by trechic on Nov 7, 2007 20:31:26 GMT -5
I'm bumping...because I would like to know the answer, too, Annette! I am enrolling in French classes a.s.a.p! I really want to speak well...but I just don't think I will ever master the speed!
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Post by sistereurope on Nov 7, 2007 21:51:37 GMT -5
I just got back from my class - I must be feeling brave because I'm going to attempt an answer! Bear with me Annette and Tre... Of course I have NO idea if this is correct...but I THINK that "Je parle seulement Français" means I ONLY speak French (experts?) As for "I speak a little French", I always say "Je parle un peu de francais"...that's probably really wrong too!!! Uh oh, I hope that I haven't made things worse...
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Post by Jody on Nov 7, 2007 22:52:22 GMT -5
I agree with Sistah! Je parle seulement français.. I speak ONLY French!
Je parle juste français.... I speak just a little French!
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Post by Shoesy on Nov 7, 2007 23:29:37 GMT -5
Hmm - My memory would have me guessing that you're supposed to say: "Je parle un peu de francais."
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Post by annettecinca on Nov 8, 2007 0:52:27 GMT -5
Just goes to show you can't trust those online translators! Thanks for your input everyone...but I am still not sure which to use! I'll strike "Je parle seulement Français" from the list of possibilities tho.
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Post by annettecinca on Nov 8, 2007 0:57:20 GMT -5
As for "I speak a little French", I always say "Je parle un peu de francais" I remember hearing something similar to this on an old Samantha Brown show when she was talking to the French cab driver. He said he only speaks a little English, and said something like "un puttie peu" (I know, I know...the spelling is way off, but he didn't spell it, he said it!) Edit: Duh....he said "un petit peu"! I feel dumb!
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Nov 8, 2007 1:19:41 GMT -5
LOL, Annette - that's "petit peu" (I've used that expression many times - when someone asked if I spoke French, that was my response - basically, "little little bit").
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Post by Happygoin on Nov 8, 2007 9:10:24 GMT -5
I don't know why I think I know this...my French is elementary at best. But I think it's "je ne parle pas le bien Francais". Can anyone more knowledgeable than I am confirm?
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Post by Anne on Nov 8, 2007 9:30:06 GMT -5
You can say either : "je ne parle pas bien français" or "je parle un peu français" (or use "un petit peu" if you speak even less French) You all managed it quite well !
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Post by geordy on Nov 8, 2007 9:51:31 GMT -5
I use petit peu for obvious reasons! ;D actually depending on the situation...je ne parle pas francais..fits some...like the survey/petition folks on the street!
And Gitte you do have a point!
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Post by annettecinca on Nov 8, 2007 10:07:40 GMT -5
Great--thanks all! And you're right Gitte, it will be quite obvious! But I'm going to try anyway.
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Post by andi on Nov 11, 2007 16:48:55 GMT -5
And depending on whether it's a man or woman saying it "je parle un peu français(e)" the last word changes slightly, my French lessons are now paying off a little
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Post by annettecinca on Nov 11, 2007 19:05:36 GMT -5
Oooohhhh Andi, I'm impressed!
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Post by Truffaut on Nov 11, 2007 20:43:19 GMT -5
And depending on whether it's a man or woman saying it "je parle un peu français(e)" the last word changes slightly, my French lessons are now paying off a little Sorry, Andian, but the ending would not change in this case. The word "français" is refering to the language and is always masculine. The gender of the speaker doesn't change the ending except in the case of adjectives and in a few other specific circumstances in which the word refers back to the speaker.
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Post by andi on Nov 12, 2007 5:33:29 GMT -5
Oh BUGGER!!!!!!!
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Post by greyghost1 on Nov 12, 2007 11:30:08 GMT -5
Andiandgaz...can you repeat that in French please?
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Nov 12, 2007 11:49:39 GMT -5
Betsy, I believe that is a French verb - note the "er" ending - but perhaps Andi could conjugate it for us or at least tell us whether it's a regular or irregular one???
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Post by andi on Nov 12, 2007 11:58:44 GMT -5
Now Now! don't be silly ladies ......I can't even get the first bit right We have our first test on Wednesday, thank goodness its not a difficult one (she says), just hello, how are you?, whats your name, address? and basic food ordering etc......all I will say is Sacre Bleu!, Zoot Alors or even Merde!!!!!! Tee Hee!
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Post by Shoesy on Nov 12, 2007 12:11:35 GMT -5
Andi - Good luck on your test ! BTW, you should never feel bad if people correct your mistakes. I actually like it whenever someone corrects my Hebrew because then I feel like I've really learned something, and I know that I will never make that same mistake again.
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